Although I own a hardback version given as a gift in college, one of my aunts gave me the boxed paperback set for Christmas when I was a young girl, and it is one of my favorite books of all time, definitely my favorite schoolgirl age book.

I have read this book aloud to most of my classes that I taught Language Arts to, and it has always been a joy - even the boys get into Anne's flights of temper and daring nature.

Of course, I am also indebted to public television for playing the Anne of Green Gables movies during pledge breaks for so many years, and the company that made those movies for choosing perfect actors and actresses for the characters. It increased my love for the book and gave me the ability to read it aloud with more characterization and feeling.

If you've never read this masterpiece, you should. Get yourself a cup of tea and a quiet corner, or wait until a beautiful warm spring day and find a flowery spot. ( )